sil·i·cate 
(sĭlĭ-kāt′, -kĭt)
(sĭlĭ-kāt′, -kĭt)n.
1. Any of numerous compounds containing silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals; a salt of silicic acid.
2. Any of a large group of minerals, forming over 90 percent of the earth's crust, that consist of SiO2 or SiO4 groupings combined with one or more metals and sometimes hydrogen.